I have been doing 'some' machining. I built a die filer.I'm not very proud of it but it runs. Still unfinished. Some corners need knocking off and some holes moved I don't have an appropriate file yet. The one installed is cheap and too flexible.It's designed to be driven by the lathe and is bolted down onto the carriage.I'm not sure I like that idea. Seems I should worry about loading on the spindle.

It's not good enough to post in its own thread so I threw it in here. As trashed as this thread is, the title is still appropriate.

Do you mean the Monitor? I busted an end mill which added to some already built up frustration so I set it aside. Then life got in the way.If you mean the popcorn engine...somewhat similar story. Although I haven't really set it aside (yet) but life got in the way.

I should have gone back to the Monitor rather than start another (unfinished) engine but the popcorn really grabbed me.

I can try and make this story a little shorter but it would just be a list of excuses.

8 months retired now and I'm still trying to acclimate.It's great waking up except for the thinking.1st think, "There's nothing I 'have' to do."2nd think, "So what should I do today?"

8 months retired now and I'm still trying to acclimate.It's great waking up except for the thinking.1st think, "There's nothing I 'have' to do."2nd think, "So what should I do today?"

It's about here I get distracted.

My question is "What do I want to do today" Then I have to start cutting back on the list so that it is actually possible and I don't feel disappointed when I can't complete everything I have taken to making a list of what I planned to do in the morning and then crossing things off or capturing what I actually did so that I get a sense of achievement every day

I have just started month 4 of my retirement... I still think I need to go back to work for a rest

Zee, for that bolt on the bearing - if you drill a shallow hole just into the bearing surface, then the bolt can go into that and at least keep the bearing from moving too much without having to be tightend down and squishing the bearing.As for retirement, I am just at the 6 year point, very very happy in it, getting lots done on the hobbies while still relaxing a lot. It helped that our company (Kodak) spent most of the year in bankruptcy proceedings before we got nuked, so lots of time doing nothing to acclimate...

Great! Thanks you lot for depressing those of us that still have to get up & leave the house each day! Done 50 hrs SO FAR this week.....another 10 tomorrow 😡😡😡 as well as being on call! Oh then it starts all over again on Monday, BUT not on call, with a bit of luck it will only be 40 hrs! 4 week holiday in Canada mid September to mid October is a distant memory.....

My Dad is coming year 32 in retirement, still plays in his shop every day, he’s just scaled down what he does, is more picky about what comes up his drive with the “ I hear you do machining jobs, I’ve tried a couple of engineering shops but.......” He’s still trying to work out how he had time to go to work.

Great! Thanks you lot for depressing those of us that still have to get up & leave the house each day! Done 50 hrs SO FAR this week.....another 10 tomorrow 😡😡😡 as well as being on call! Oh then it starts all over again on Monday, BUT not on call, with a bit of luck it will only be 40 hrs! 4 week holiday in Canada mid September to mid October is a distant memory.....

My Dad is coming year 32 in retirement, still plays in his shop every day, he’s just scaled down what he does, is more picky about what comes up his drive with the “ I hear you do machining jobs, I’ve tried a couple of engineering shops but.......” He’s still trying to work out how he had time to go to work.

Cheers Kerrin

Similar requests to 'I hear you have a truck...'

I like to think fun retirement time in the shop is payback for years wasted in boring meetings!

I retired when I was 65. For about three weeks. Decided that "This way lies madness". That was seven years ago, and I am still trying to find a balance between time for my own hobby building small engines and doing contract machine design for a few select customers. It is a very fine line to walk, and still keep your balance. I wasn't really looking forward to retirement like many people do, but I got old anyways. Damn it Zee---are you going to finish that popcorn engine or not?